Editorial: Steven Miles still has a serious mountain to climb

For Steven Miles to be trailing his opponent on the critical question of who would make a better premier is not great news, writes the editor.

Today’s new polling reveals Opposition Leader David Crisafulli remains preferred premier despite Labor’s leadership change.

It shows just how high the mountain that Premier Steven Miles rightly says he will have to climb really is.

It is early days. And so this polling will shock nobody within Labor who believed a leadership change was necessary. But there are some points to be considered.

First, it is almost to be expected that Labor’s primary vote has hardly moved from the 33 per cent YouGov surveyed in October to the 34.4 per cent in this polling by UComms. This is a government deep into its third term and facing a growing number of political crises. For it to still be within striking distance on the two-party preferred measure (49-51) is actually quite something – and Mr Miles has been clear already that he is focused on neutralising the biggest crises.

But for Mr Miles to be trailing his opponent by four points (48-52) on the critical question of who would make a better premier is not great news. In October, former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk trailed Mr Crisafulli by two points (35-37) on that measure in polling by YouGov, which did not force an answer from undecided respondents.

What it shows is a mere change of leadership is not the solution to Labor’s problem. It must work hard to regain the trust of Queenslanders through good governance and a return of respect to leadership. When Mr Miles won the job two weeks ago, we said his most important task would be to “fix the process and machinery” of this government, which had fallen apart.

This must remain his priority. For too long, this government operated in a way that meant policies lived or died depending on the mood of the person in charge.

Mr Miles has already made some positive changes, which will go some way to helping. His missive to public servants giving them the explicit permission to provide frank and fearless advice again was a good – and necessary – start.

Mr Miles has also moved quickly to bandage some open wounds, from ordering a police helicopter to be stationed in the youth crime hotspot of Townsville to reviewing whether the Gabba is the right choice as the main stadium for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mr Miles also addressed former transport minister Mark Bailey’s poor handling and then apparent hiding of infrastructure cost blowouts by committing to twice a year actually telling taxpayers about cost rises.

It is clear the Miles government is desperate to try to differentiate itself from the Palaszczuk administration.

There is still more work to do. The other big finding of today’s poll is Mr Miles is seen as being perhaps too close to the union movement.

The easiest way he would attack that perception would be to turn his mind to scrapping the Best Practice Industry Conditions, which will see construction costs increase by up to 30 per cent and cut productivity by a similar amount. It is unacceptable.

Queenslanders want a leader who thinks less about themselves and more about what will benefit the community the most. That is, after all, the definition of what democratically elected leaders who want to be returned at the next election should be doing.

Meanwhile, the opposition’s job should be to explain in detail to voters why their side of politics is a better choice to lead. Coasting to an election on discontent is not OK.

REEF IS STILL AMAZING

The lack of major damage to the Great Barrier Reef in the wake of Cyclone Jasper is good news for Queenslanders.

The Reef is the jewel in Queensland’s crown and is not only a source of great pride but a huge economic driver for the state.

Operators are reporting minimal damage to the reef in Far North Queensland and are urging visitors to keep booking snorkelling, diving and fishing trips.

As Quicksilver Group Environment and Compliance manager Doug Baird told The Courier-Mail, the sites are “looking as good as before the cyclone”.

The best way to help the region get back on its feet is to support its tourism industry. And now is the best time to get up to Far North Queensland, with incredible deals on offer, including free accommodation, $200 food and beverage credits and discounts of up to 30 per cent.

Since Cyclone Jasper hit, there have been holiday cancellations as far south as Mackay and the Whitsundays – more than 600km south of Cairns.

Far North Queenslanders know how to get on with things after a cyclone.

And their resilience after Cyclone Jasper has shone through.

Entire communities are back up and running thanks to a huge local effort to help businesses get back on their feet.

The least we can do is keep visiting a region that has gone through so much, yet continues to give so much to this state.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here